Hitch



c; BEESON Oct. 28, 1941.

HITCH Filed Feb. 13, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 l W 2 AT Inventor +T n MN N N Attorney Oct. 28, 1941. c. BEESON HITCH Filed Feb. 13, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 w Q N I E "(k I I I I ll Q Q J Q b Inventor Attorney I By * NIT-ED STATE Patented Oct. 28, 1941 halfto Jack'F.'Comb es, I 7ossil, Ores. A Application February 13, 1a41,'serialno.a7az92- 1 1 Claim. (c1. 2 0552. 4

The present invention relates to new and usefulimprovements in hitches particularly for connecting trailers to motor vehicles although it will be understood, of course, that the device may be used for any other purpose for which it may be found adapted and desirable.

An important object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a hitch of the character described embodying a construction which is such as to permit universal swinging movement of the tongue of the trailer, implement or the like.

Another very import object of the invention is to provide a hitch of the character set forth which is adapted to be expeditiously secured to and removed from the rear bumper of a vehicle and which, further, is adapted to be mounted on various types or sizes of bumpers.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a hitch of the aforementioned character which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, highly efficient and reliable in use, compact and which may be manufactured at low cost.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan view, showing ahitch constructed in accordance with the present invention in use.

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view taken substantially on the line 22 of Figure 1 through the vehicle bumper, showing the bitch in side ele}vation. i

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view through the hitch, taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a top plan view with portions of the hitch omitted.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a clamp of suitable metal which is designated generally by the reference numeral I. The clamp l is adapted to be removably mounted on a rear bumper 2 of a vehicle 3. Toward this end, the clamp I includes a vertically elongated plate 4 which is engageable with the rear face of the bumper 2'. Projecting forwardly from the upper end of the plate 4 is an integral, stationary jaw 5 having extending thereinto from its forward end a substantiall \teshapedslot 6,. The jaw 5. further includes. a, horizontal inner portion 1 which extends oyerthebumper ,2 and-a vertical intermediate portin which. extends dow wardly rom. a d n t cn iro tqf said b mper 2; A sw -ins jaw 9 is connected to the lower end of the plate 4 through the medium of a hinge Ill. The hinge 10, it will be noted, is located beneath the bumper 2. The swinging jaw 9 comprises an angularly projecting free end portion II which extends in spaced, opposed relation to the stationary jaw 5 in front of the bumper 2. The slot 6 in the jaw 5 is for the reception of a bolt l2 which extends through an opening provided therefor in the portion ll of the jaw 9. A substantially segmental washer I3 is provided between the jaw 5 and the head of the bolt l 2. The portion H of the swinging jaw 9 is firmly secured to the bolt [2 through the medium of nuts I4 and I5 which are threaded on said bolt. The portion l l of the swinging jaw 9 is secured between the nuts l4 and 15.

The clamp I further includes opposed ears l6 which extend rearwardly from the vertical edges of the plate 4. Extending between the ears I6 is a bolt l'l. Mounted for swinging movement in a vertical plane on the bolt I1 is a link IS. The link 18 includes a horizontally extending eye IS on its forward end which is journaled on the bolt l1 between the ears IS. The rear end portion of the link I8 is formed to provide a comparatively thick, horizontal disk 20 having formed therein a centrally located, vertical opening 2|.

The tongue of the trailer or implement is indicated at 22. Secured above and below the forward end portion of the tongue 22 and projecting forwardly from said tongue is a pair of metallic bars 23. The bars 23 are joined by an integral connection 24 at the forward end of the tongue 22. The bars 23 terminate in rounded forward end portions which receive therebetween the disk 20. A coupling pin 25 connects the bars 23 to the disk 20 for swinging movement, said coupling pin passing through the opening 2| in said disk 20. Of course, the forward end portions of the bars 23 are apertured to receive the coupling pin 25. The coupling pin 25 is secured in position by a cotter pin 26 in the lower end portion of said coupling pm.

It is thought that the operation of the hitch will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. The linkv I5 is adapted to swing freely in va vertical plane on the clamp l and the bars 23 swing in a horizontal plane on said link. Thus, universal swinging movement .of the tongue 22 relative to the bumper 2 is permitted. By rechanges in the details of construction and in the.

combination and arrangement of parts may the scope of the nalink hav n one end thereof mounted on said resorted to which will fall within invention as claimed. a I I What is claimed is: A hitch of the class described comprising a hicle bumper, said clamp comprising avertically elongated plate engageable with the rear raceor the bumper, a stationary jaw projecting-inwardly and forwardly from-the;- upper end of the plate, said stationary jaw having a horizontal inner portion extending-over thebumper; a'vertical intermediate portionextending downwardly in front of the bumper, and a free end portion with a substantially V-shaped slot extending horizontally from said vertical intermediate portion, a swinging jaw hingedly connected to the lower end of the plate, said swinging jaw having a vertical portion extending upwardly in front of the bumper and an angularly projecting free end portion extending in spaced opposed relation to the free end portion of the stationary jaw, a bolt extending through an opening in the fr'eeend'portion of'the swinging jaw and received in the V- shaped slot of the free end portion of the sta- "tionary jaw for securing together the said jaws,

and opposed ears joined by a bolt and extending rearwardly from the vertical edges of the plate;

bolt for swinging movement in a vertical plane clamp adapted to be removahly. secured 'on ave1- re and having the other end thereof providedwith a horizontal disk and means for connecting said disk with a trailer tongue including portions to embrace the tongue and spaced parallel portions adapted for and pivotally connected with said disk; 1 

